- Buyers Guide
Analytical Test Station
The model S8 eight-inch analytical test station is well suited for probing applications where laboratory space is limited. With standard fixed plates and miniature light-tight enclosures, this stainless-steel prober is suitable for applications that require dark and electrically quiet environments such as low current measurements, CV measurements, metal-oxide semiconductor and charge-coupled device elements. This station can be configured in either a 6" or 8" chuck size as an ambient coaxial or triaxial chuck for general-purpose probing. For at-temperature probing, a thermal chuck series (coaxial or triaxial) is available with a temperature range from –65° to +400°C. All versions with the thermal chuck include the ambient cooling option with heat exchanger.
Micromanipulator Company Inc.,
Carson City, NV (800) 654-5659.
DAQ and GPIB Devices
Three data acquisition (DAQ) devices and a GPIB interface are now available for use in Windows™ PCs equipped with the universal serial bus (USB). The model DAQPad™-4350 high precision temperature and voltage measurement instrument features a +/-15 V input range suitable for low bandwidth analog applications such as automotive tests. The unit features +/-0.4°C thermocouple accuracy, six possible reading rates and eight digital input/output lines for alarm and control. The model DAQPad-6020E is a multifunction analog, digital and timing interface with 16 single-ended or eight differential analog inputs. The model DAQPad-6507 USB device features 96 parallel digital input/output lines. The GPIB-USB plug-and-play IEEE 488.2 interface controls up to 14 programmable instruments via a computer’s USB port. Prices: $1,295 for the model DAQPad-4350, $1195 for the model DAQPad-6020E, $695 for the model DAQPad-6507 and $495 for the model GPIB-USB.
Austin, TX (800) 258-7022 or (512) 794-0100.
The MA2470A series power sensors are designed for use with the company’s ML2430A series power meters. The units deliver 100,000 samples per second and feature a 90 dB dynamic range (–70 to +20 dBm) in a single sensor. The 90 dB range allows stable readings to –70 dBm with a –78 dBm noise floor. Measurements over the power range of –45 to +20 dBm follow the pulse power profile of digital cellular time slots, such as North American Dual-mode Cellular, GSM and DCS1800, allowing accurate measurements to be performed over the useful portion of the burst. Typical sensor return loss is improved from 5 to 6 dB through 50 GHz.
Anritsu Co., Microwave Measurements Division,
Morgan Hill, CA (408) 776-8300.
Spectrum Analyzer PC Plug In
The model 9052 spectrum analyzer plug in upgrades a standard PC to a high performance 1600 MHz spectrum analyzer. The device utilizes three standard ISA slots and, when used with a VGA card, provides a virtual front panel on screen. It features remote accessing and can be fitted into a portable PC. In addition to conventional swept-mode operation, the model 9052 can capture transient signals with a user-defined burst-mode detector dwell time. The unit can display as many as four traces simultaneously with available advanced marker features to provide real-time data analysis. Automatic test functions also can be stored that, when used with overlays and limit lines, can provide simple pass/fail results for qualification, production or EMC testing. An oven-controlled crystal reference oscillator used with a multiple-loop phase-locked synthesizer and a direct digital synthesizer provides fast and accurate frequency control and low phase noise.
Mortlake, London, UK (0181) 392 5720.
Network Analyzer Test Set System
The model SPTS-4 four-port network analyzer test set system performs true multiport S-parameter measurements for both active and passive circuits. This test system contributes two-port accuracy and ease of use to reduce errors, time and cost of measuring transistors, multistage amplifiers, couplers, hybrids, circulators, switches, multiplexers and other multiport components. The unit eliminates the manual manipulation of the round robin technique and delivers accuracy similar to a two-port vector network analyzer calibration.
ATN Microwave Inc.,
North Billerica, MA (508) 667-4200.
Digital Network Tester
The LYNX digital network tester is designed as a general-purpose bit error rate (BER) tester. The product incorporates a larger 4 x 40 character display, a set of nine buttons that allow full control of the tester and a new menu structure displayed on the liquid crystal display. The case has been redesigned to give the tester a more rugged exterior for use in different environments. Three interfaces are built in, eliminating the need for extra interface adapter cables. The X21, V24 and V35 interface standards are supported in both the European ITU-T and American Electronic Industries Association modes. Optional adapters allow the device to perform BER tests on E1 and T1 lines.
Consultronics Ltd., Ottawa Division,
Nepean, Ontario, Canada (613) 225-6087.
Backside Wafer Inspection Toolkit
This toolkit designed for backside wafer inspection comprises three components: the Chip UnZip™ automated backthinning module, which thins devices on wafers down to as little as 80 mm of remaining silicon; the New Ultra-Low Force™ probe cards, which exert less than 10 percent of the force of conventional probe cards; and the BEAMS emission microscope system, which includes the hardware and software required for wafer handling and imaging. Emission microscopes collect the extremely faint light emitted by a variety of chip-level defects and intensify these emissions to pinpoint the defect location. Once the location coordinates are known, defects can be analyzed.
Fremont, CA (510) 651-7768.
The 8100 series digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) features a modular architecture that allows users to optimize the instrumentation and application needs over time. The flexibility and variety of user plug-in modules are suitable for research and development, engineering, manufacturing and other test and measurement requirements. Up to three modules can be installed in the unit to perform multiple channels of analog and digital waveform captures. The 8100 high speed platform offers a Mixed Signal Waveform™ display and facilitates signal measurements, analysis and test functions.
MiNT Systems Corp.,
Campbell, CA (408) 866-8823.
Analog/Digital Field Tool
The Signal Scout™ series model RFM151 portable digital services and analog video transmission field tool is designed to deploy digital video and data services. The unit delivers highly repeatable analog and digital channel RF measurements and measures, identifies and isolates upstream path interference signals (ingress), particularly in the return path of hybrid fiber coax networks. The tool operates from 5 to 1080 MHz and enables a measurement capability for forward and return path coverage of digital signals. The foward path analog- and digital-channel level measurements are specified within +/-1 dB (40 to 500 MHz) and +/-1.1 dB (greater than 500 MHz) across the instrument’s operating temperature range of 0° to 50°C with repeatability of +/-0.5 dB. Price: $2350.
Beaverton, OR (800) 426-2200.
Universal Waveform Generator
The model 39 universal waveform generator creates virtually any waveform at sample rates as high as 30 Msps. The 65,536-point waveform memory, 12-bit amplitude resolution and waveform linking, looping and triggering capabilities allow the generator to create synthesized waveforms for applications including automotive testing, biomedical research and telecommunications. In addition to complex arbitrary waveforms and pulse trains containing up to 10 independently programmable pulses, the generator produces a wide range of standard waveforms including sine, cosine, haversine, havercosine, triangle, ramp and sinx/x outputs. Standard features include IEEE-488 and RS232 interfaces. DSP2 waveform software is available as an option. Price: $1695.
Wavetek Corp., Instruments Division,
San Diego, CA (619) 279-2200.
Data Generator/Analyzer Platform
The model HP 81200 data generator/analyzer platform easily characterizes and verifies digital devices and systems. In many applications, the platform fulfills the roles of several pieces of test equipment because it provides stimulus and measurement capabilities for functional and parametric tests in one platform. The platform addresses speeds up to 200, 330 and 660 Mbps. The unit’s modular structure provides economic solutions for mixed-logic devices. The platform comprises a choice of two mainframes, an expander frame, modules and module front ends, allowing systems from two to 120 channels to be constructed economically. Price: ranges from $21,000 for a two-channel, 200 Mbps generator to $470,000 for a 120-channel, 660 Mbps generator and analyzer platform. Delivery: eight weeks (ARO).
Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP),
Palo Alto, CA (800) 452-4844, ext. 5662.
RF Peak Power Meter/Analyzer
The model 4500A RF peak power meter/analyzer covers the 1 MHz to 40 GHz frequency range, allowing the unit to perform accurate analysis of RF signals with digital modulation, multiple carriers, complex coding techniques and spread spectrum signals used in code-division multiple access (CDMA) and PCS. The device has a peak power dynamic range of greater than 60 dB when used with any of the company’s 56500 series sensors. Peak power range is –40 to +20 dB and average power range is –50 to +20 dBm with a resolution of 0.1 dB. A built-in precision calibrator assures accuracy over the entire range. Price: $15,000. Delivery: four to six weeks.
Boonton Electronics Corp.,
Parsippany, NJ (973) 386-9696.
CDMA Multisource Generator
The model 2026Q multisource signal generator is designed as a fully integrated radio signal receiver for CDMA cellular and PCS handsets. The generator is suitable for use at an output frequency range from 800 MHz to 2 GHz at a combined RF output range of –127 to –13 dBm. The generator’s design offers a single-box solution for CDMA interference testing in applications modes for cellular, DCS and PCS bands for analog, CDMA, time-division multiple access and/or GSM subscriber units. With the unit’s phase noise and spectral purity, demanding measurements can be performed via its low residual FM of 3 Hz and typical sideband noise of –121 dBc/Hz at 20 kHz offset from 1 GHz. Price: $22,995. Delivery: eight weeks (ARO).
Marconi Instruments Inc.,
Fort Worth, TX (800) 233-2955.
2.4 mm Coaxial Slide Screw Tuner
The model 7941A coaxial slide screw tuner features a high SWR matching range of 10:1 over the 12 to 50 GHz frequency range and offers good repeatability. The tuner’s positional repeatability, broad frequency range and high SWR matching make it suitable for device characterization applications. The mechanical construction allows for the magnitude and phase of the reflected signal to be varied independently of each other.
Maury Microwave Corp.,
Ontario, CA (909) 987-4715.
RFR Survey Meter
The model 8712 RFR survey meter features powerful measurement capabilities and is suitable for applications that require accurate measurements but not advanced features, such as data logging. The unit operates from a standard 9 V battery, measures slightly larger than a typical car phone and weighs approximately 1.4 lb. The survey meter is fully compatible with all of the company’s 8700 series probes.
Narda Microwave-East, a division of L-3 Communications,
Hauppauge, NY (516) 231-1700 or (516) 231-1390.
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